Weigh-tronix, Inc.

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

The Boc Group, Inc.

Kevin M Fruechte

Thomas Howard Johnson

Gene L Justice

Roger A Younger

Robert E Braatz

James A Head

Gary J Andrejeski

A load cell may include a bar having a supported end, an unsupported end and a sensor holding portion disposed between the supported end and the unsupported end. The load cell may further include a plurality of electronic sensors including a first strain gauge pair and a second strain gauge pair disposed along the sensor holding portion. The load cell may further include an interface member directly connecting the electronic sensors for weight calculation responsive to application of a load to the unsupported end. In some cases, the interface member may include a flex circuit.

Flex circuit interface for strain gauges

A force sensitive scale and dual sensor load cells for use therewith isolate, measure, and reject out residual rejected effects from the output of the scale. By isolating residual rejected effects, the overall accuracy of the scale may be improved, and the scale may be made substantially insensitive to the position of an object on the scale. In addition, where a scale includes multiple load cells coupled in parallel to a load receiving member and spaced apart in the direction of the force vector, the outputs of the load cells may be effectively scaled to cancel out frictional effects inherent in the scale.

Force sensitive scale for fork lifts with electronically coupled load

Force sensitive scale and dual load sensor cell for use therewith

A switching mechanism and valve using the same wherein a two remote valve or switch positions are provided. The switching mechanism includes a valve operator having of outwardly extending port closures that move above a central pivot point. As the valve operator shifts between its two remote positions, each port closure closes or opens respectively a port associated with such port closure. A flat bearing surface is formed as part of the valve operator and is in a plane generally perpendicular to a line bisecting the angle between the two port closures. A roller, biased against that flat bearing surface is on a pivot arm also moveable about its remote pivotable end. The biased roller normally holds the valve or switch in one of its remote positions. As the valve operator is moved to its other remote position the roller rolls along the flat bearing surface such that no stable alignment ever occurs when the axis of the roller pivot arm is in line with a line between the pivot point of the pivot arm and the central pivot point of the valve operator.

Bistable two position valve

Growing community of inventors

Fairmont, MN, United States of America

Kevin M Fruechte